Mr Scruffy’s News – May

May 3, 2017April 28, 2019 Pam B. Newberry

Mr Scruffy here. How have you been? It has been a couple of months since I last visited Pam’s Blog. She’s been fighting a horrible cold, cough, and laryngitis for three weeks now. Ugh! This past weekend, she was finally able to get back into writing her latest novel, The Owl, The Sword, & The Efil Stone — Book One of The Chronicles of Eldershire. She’s making progress; she’s at about 40,000 words. Send her happy writing vibes so she can get more words written and catch up on reaching her goal of finishing the book before the end of the month! And, now…

On with the news

1. Find ways to help you write — Are you a writer? How do you find ways to help you stay on task when you have a writing goal? Let me recommend – Pursue your writing by writing in a journal. You know all “creatives” need a jolt to get them back on track, stay on track, or just walk the track. Here are a couple of writing support groups, people, and other links you may find useful:

Visit Sara Frandina – at her website: https://sarafrandina.com or on her FB page. Either way, check out her #justwrite offering! Amazing! It will help you to do as the name says — just write!
Find things that are good for you to learn and learn about them. What do you enjoy learning? Share in the comments section. I’ve fallen in love with TED Talks. Recently, I watched a very interesting one by Lisa Genova on things you can do now to help reduce the effects of developing Alzheimer’s. It is worth your time to have a listen!
Find foods you enjoy eating, and if new, give them a try. Pam loves to cook. She explores making different kinds of bread, making unique meals, and finding quick meals when her writing life is under deadline. Cooking from scratch takes gobs of time. Finding a good meal that is quick and healthy is the name of the game. Recently, she tried Eating Well frozen micro dinners. Generally, Pam is not a fan of eating frozen meals, but will use them when time is tight. Eating Well may have made her a convert. Her favorite one is the Chicken Pesto. As she said to me, “I couldn’t make this as good if I had cooked it myself from scratch, froze it, and then reheated it! Delish!”

2. Watching Bosch! It doesn’t matter if you like murder-mystery-crime-cop stories, you will love this series. I promise. Harry Bosch is the fictional character created by Michael Connelly and brought to life by Titus Welliver in the Amazon Prime series. Seasons 1 and 2 were exceptional, but I must say, Season 3 was outstanding! Pam said that she sure would love to develop a character as Mr. Connelly has done–keeping over 21 novels alive. She said she would definitely love to have an actor, such as Mr. Welliver play the fictional character she created. Powerful!

3. Make a wish. It is a fact that any author dreaming of hitting the big time has dreams and wishes. Pam’s wish is that an author, famous or not, finds her work and decides it is good enough to contact her, and strike up a conversation. How cool would that be? Who would she like to connect with? Oh, Michael Connelly, J. K. Rowling, David Hewson, and Ursula Le Guin to name just a few.

4. News from Hobbit’s Bend: Pam spent the last three weeks fighting a horrible cold/cough/laryngitis. Here’s her latest report—

“Since I began work on the first book of my speculative trilogy The Chronicles of Eldershire, I’ve re-read several fantasy novels I loved as a child. Books by Tolkien, Lewis, and L. Frank Baum. I’ve also read or am reading Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quintet, Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series, and Ransom Riggs latest series Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children. Reading these books helps me see the creative juices of some great authors. My first book The Owl, The Sword, & The Efil Stone is set in the land of Eldershire. A parallel universe ruled by trees and plants. A wicked witch, Nukpana Fraener, is the antagonist. And, Kay “KC” Carson is the leading lady. I’m in the midst of the action of the novel now. I’m finding it exciting and scary at the same time. I can’t wait for my reading friends – beta readers – have a chance to give me their reaction!”

Pam went on to say she plans to have the first draft completed by the end of May. She will then be sending it out to her beta readers after it has been edited and revised. Stay tuned! Book One is getting closer!

Thanks for reading…see ya soon!

Mr. Scruffy

This post Mr. Scruffy News - May 03, 2017 first appeared on Pam's Blog.

Hey! If you like what I’m sharing, leave a comment. Share what news you can use in the comment section below. Thanks and come back soon! Woot! Woot!

Birthday, Life

10 Things I’d Like to Tell My 14-year-old Self

April 8, 2017April 28, 2019 Pam B. Newberry

Ten things I’d like to tell my 14-year-old self now that I’m 64…

My favorite musician and song writer, Paul McCartney’s song (credited to Lennon-McCartney), “When I’m Sixty-Four,” (Listen to song on Ultimate Classic Rock) has been a song I’ve loved since it’s release in 1967. Tomorrow, I turn sixty-four. So, while listening to this classic Beatles’ song, I thought I’d write my list of things I’ve learned through the years.

Pam-Pink Hat - 04-08-17 — When I’m sixty-four…

Here it is, if given the chance, this is the short list of things I’d go back and tell myself I’ve learned along the way:

Life is too short to be anything but happy — Sure there are times this is hard, real hard, but don’t look at others and see their happiness without taking it in; Give a smile, receive thousands back. Embrace life!
Be yourself — Trying to be like those you think have it great is not a good thing; it causes you great pain. As Mr Scruffy says, “Be HOO You Owlways Are!” You’ll be happier for it.
Be Pleased with What God Gave You to Work With — it may not look like the most beautiful beings you’ve encountered, but have you ever thought that just maybe you MIGHT look beautiful to others. Embrace what God gave you to work with and work it, girl!
Don’t be afraid — of anything! Take that idea with you on every step you take. Be yourself. Be pleased with what God gave you, and don’t be afraid to try on that dress, that special hat, that smile! Live your life and enjoy it along the way, it helps on so many levels to not be afraid.
Give and it will come back to you multiplied — luck isn’t something you receive, but something you earn through the act of giving. The more you pay it forward, the more it returns. I know that now.
Use the time you are given — Live…embrace your goals, go after them, and enjoy it along the way, but also take time for yourself. Meditate more. Breath more. Love more. Pray more. Use your time more.
Choose wisely — but don’t hesitate to say or do what you need when you are living up to points 1 through 6 above — My favorite line from “Little Big Man” is when the character Grandfather has gone to the top of the mountain to die, he says, “It is a good day to die.” Yes, it is a good day to die, but it is also a good day to live. Choose wisely.
Focus on your goals — your dreams — your purpose — We’ve all been given a gift. Find what yours is and use it. Focus your goals to see them come to life. Dream, Dream, Dream, and Believe, Believe, Believe. The Secret is in the seeing of you being whom you should be and reaching your goals as you envisioned, always remembering to do good, be happy, and reach for the stars. It truly is possible.
As you age, remember your past — It got me where I am now. Don’t think on the bad, the good, or the ugly, but embrace what you learned along the way. Learning from your past helps you have a most wonderful future. You’ve proven that in the past 64 years. Keep it up!
Love whom your with – Love Nature, too! — Share your positive outlook with others, love all those who love you, share your smile to help those who haven’t had the opportunity to learn life isn’t always hurtful. Even during your darkest moments remember that the truth of the world is in balance. For every dark moment there is a light moment. Help the world stay in balance by lighting a candle of hope, love, and charity. Love all and you will receive love back. And, in loving all, remember to love nature, too! Mother Earth embraces all life, as should we!
Wild Turkey running along.

That’s it, for now. It is hoped my future sees more years where I can reflect back and ponder my life’s journey. These ideas I’ve placed here are not profound, but they are mine. I share them with you in hopes they help you along your journey!

Write on!

Pam

Love

Quilted Bookcase – A Labor of Love

February 19, 2017April 28, 2019 Pam B. Newberry

Being Surprised with

A Labor of Love

Our cousin, HM and her husband, JM came for a visit yesterday. And, what a visit it was! Look what she gave me!!!

Bookcase Quilt

[envira-gallery id=”893″]

It is a bookcase quilt she made with a “labor of love” as she said in the panel where she signed her name (See the last image). The idea came to her after she saw a picture I’d posted on my FB page of a bookcase quilt someone had made.

All of the books in the bookcase are created from fabric scraps she had on hand. She is an accomplished quilter. HM told me she had looked and looked for a quilting pattern and couldn’t find one. After several months searching, she looked at her sweet husband, JM, and said, “I’m going to design my own!” JM is a great supporter of her work. He fixes dinner, takes care of the animals, entertains the grandkids, and keeps busy as she locks herself away in her beautiful sewing room her son helped design and build for her.

The amazing part was all she did to make this quilt possible. When she began this project, she shared with friends she was designing it herself. One friend of hers who lives several hundred miles away would talk with her every day-giving her advice, recommending things to try, and needed moral support. Finally, they decide to learn how to do FaceTime so that they could share ideas better.

Another friend said that the vases needed to have flowers. Instead of using fabric, her friend made the yarn flowers so that it would give a three-dimensional effect to the quilt. HM was so excited because she didn’t learn how to make the flowers. Instead, she used the talents of her friends, which is just how HM is. She loves people.

And, her granddaughter “A” got into the act, too. She came up with the very cool pouch that holds an actual book (I think that’s an awesome touch). HM even learned how to take the book spines of my published novels from photographs Jules gave her, and then printed them on the fabric! (See the second picture) How cool is that?!? What a wonderful job!

The backing is a gorgeous piece of warm fleece. The edging is suede. I’ve thought and thought where to hang it so my family and friends can enjoy it. But, I keep finding myself wanting to sit with it wrapped around me as I write. It is so warm and cozy.

What do you think? Should I hang it or should I use it?

This is one of the gifts that keeps on giving. Each time I look at the bookcase, I’ll be reminded of HM’s “Labor of Love” and I’ll be so inspired by her creativity. With this post, I’m sending much love and gratitude to Cousin HM and her sweet husband, JM for sharing their love. And, an extra special shout out to Hobbit King and Jules for keeping this a secret. You guys truly surprised me!

Writing with Love,
Pam

Mr. Scruffy's News

Mr. Scruffy — The Muse

February 16, 2017April 28, 2019 Pam B. Newberry

BEING A MUSE IS A TOUGH JOB!

Mr. Scruffy here — I serve as Pam’s Muse. And, let me tell you, it is a tough job, Bub! Gees, she can be hard settle her in a chair. Getting her to put her thoughts down is even harder. She is easily distracted. Between you and me, I believe she has a touch of some affliction that takes her off task so easily. Don’t get me started about her reading e-mail, reading news, and then, when she settles into reading other blogs — Oh Lord! It is hours later.

I sit here at her side, on her little table field with all kinds of articles she wants to read. I look at her like she is going to listen to me. Oh yeah…only if! I do have to say that she appears to think a lot about writing. You should see the piles of post-it notes with ideas on them. If she put those down on paper, even if she just listed them, she’d have two thick books as thick as a large dictionary.

But, alas, she doesn’t settle into writing on her novel like she should. Ugh! It’s driving me plumb batty. I mean, what is an owl to do? What do you think should happen? How do you help someone with “delay-in-writing” syndrome?

Getting Back on Track

Don’t get me wrong. Pam can write when she sets down to it. She’s already written four books. You want proof? Look at her Books page for the details. Right now, she is supposed to be working on her latest speculative fiction journey – The Chronicles of Eldershire. She has this really evil witch – Nukpana Fraener – that Pam appears to be struggling with her character.

Why the struggle? I’m not sure. But, I will tell you, it seems to eat her up inside when she does write about her. I see Pam stop and go. I see her reading other books with strong antagonists. She gets an idea, sits down to write, and then types some. Just as suddenly, she stops.

Do you have any ideas of how I might be able to help her? Can you point me to an evil protagonist that you liked, but wished would die? I can think of a few, but I think she is still searching for the type of antagonist that will inspire her to write. What do you think? Why do you think she is having trouble?

Lately, in the evenings when her husband, Hobbit King, comes home, after dinner, they spend their late evening hours watching GRIMM. Kinda of a marathon “catch up.” Oh, if you haven’t seen this show, which I think is a new twist on a contemporary soap opera, you need to watch it. It is full of twists & turns and lots of evil folks. Pam and Hobbit King are currently watching Season 5.

Pam said to me she thought it might help her inspire her writing. I’m not sure it has. But, then again, she is blogging today. Something she hasn’t done for two weeks. What do you think? Do you have any advice for her?

Thanks in Advance

Well, I’ve got to get back to helping her. She’s heading out now to go do some errands. She says she hopes to sit down and get back to her novel. (She hasn’t written on it for a week. She hasn’t been on any social media for two weeks. She kind of separated herself.) I’m not worried about her yet. But, I see the struggle in her face. (Yes, pun intended for those of you who watch GRIMM). So, any help you can give. She will very much appreciate. And, so will I!

Until later — Write On, My Friends!
Mr. Scruffy